27/11/2014 | Writer: Ömer Akpınar
Pink Life Association in Ankara organized a series of events in memory of transphobic hate crime victims.
Pink Life Association in Ankara organized a series of events in memory of transphobic hate crime victims. Commemorating their late friends for the 7th time in Turkey, trans activists gave speeches at the Turkish Parliament.
Trans activists at the Turkish Parliament for a press statement
Pink Life has started organizing events in 9 cities to mark Trans Day of Remembrance (TDoR) on November 20 by early this month. Panels and workshops took place in Adana, Ankara, Antakya, Bursa, Edirne, Eskisehir, Istanbul, Izmir and Mersin on issues ranging from education and jurisdiction to media and medicine.
“Writing in a newspaper makes me a ‘good trans’”
The main events that took place in Ankara at the weekend focused on the media. Trans activist and performer Esmeray, who writes a weekly column in the mainstream newspaper Taraf, questioned whether a sex worker trans woman would be able to write in the same paper:
“Writing in a newspaper makes me a ‘good trans’ but I am not sure if Taraf would let a sex worker trans woman write columns, too.”
“Clothing Bank” in dedication of a murdered trans woman
The association launched its “Clothing Bank” on Monday in dedication to Dilek Ince, a trans woman who got killed in 2008 following a lynch campaign against trans women in Eryaman, Ankara. The bank will provide anyone in need with clothing thanks to the donations made to the association.
Oyku Ay (in the middle with hijab) together with trans activists
Oyku Ay, a trans woman known for her independent activism to help trans people, was awarded with the Prize for Fighting Hate Crimes. Ay commented on the importance of solidarity, congratulating Pink Life activist Buse Kilickaya for her efforts to set up Dilek Ince Clothing Bank.
Following the award ceremony, Ahmet Melih Yilmaz from the boutique theater Mek’an Sahne gave a concert as the character from the theater’s famous play “Women, Loves, Songs”.
Ahmet Melih Yılmaz singing popular arabesque and pop songs
Trans activists at the Turkish Parliament
Pink Life Association also participated in the press statements at the Turkish Parliament made by the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) MPs Mahmut Tanal and Binnaz Toprak to stand up against transphobia.
Formed in 2006, Pink Life is the 3rd officially registered LGBTI association in Turkey. The association organizes Pink Life Queer Fest – a queer film festival – since November 2011.
Tags: life
